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Future Fabrics Expo 2023 in London

Banana fibre Material innovation Peace silk Vegan leather alternatives

Future Fabrics Expo 2023 in London

The Future Fabrics Expo 2023 in London once again aimed to challenge conventional textile production by showcasing the latest advancements in sustainable materials, manufacturing techniques, and circular design principles. The annual event is a testament to the fashion industry's commitment to sustainability and its collective effort to redefine the way we produce and consume textiles. Gathering a diverse range of designers, innovators and manufacturers, the expo provided a glimpse into the future of fabrics, emphasising ethical practices and eco-consciousness.         From organic cotton, hemp and peace silk to innovative materials like Piñatex (made from pineapple leaf fibres)...

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Material Innovation: Plant-Based Vegan Leather Alternatives

Material innovation Vegan leather alternatives

Material Innovation: Plant-Based Vegan Leather Alternatives

As veganism and climate-conscious consumerism continue to gain traction, there is a growing interest in finding plant-based, cruelty-free, and low carbon alternatives to traditional leather. In response, the fashion industry has witnessed numerous innovations over the last year, including the development of new materials such as those made from cactus leaves, grape seeds, and apple skin. Some of these new materials are either fully recyclable or biodegradable/compostable, like “coconut leather” from Malai. This material is produced from organic bacterial cellulose, which is derived from waste coconut water that has been obtained during the harvesting of coconut flesh. The collected waste coconut...

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Fabric From Food Waste: Soy Fibre for Fashion and Textiles

Material innovation Soy fibre

Fabric From Food Waste: Soy Fibre for Fashion and Textiles

While soy fibre is still a relatively unknown choice for textile production, the first investigations into this fibre already took place in Japan during the 1940s and in the US in 1945. But even though the production was a success, the fibre was never commercially produced. The reasons for that included the rise of petroleum, which - due to its low processing cost - became one of the main raw materials used for synthetic textile production. But with the growing amount of environmental concerns and the demand for more sustainability, the interest in alternative fibre production, such as soy fibre, has also started to increase....

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From Waste to Value: Banana Fibre for Fashion and Textiles

Banana fibre Material innovation

From Waste to Value: Banana Fibre for Fashion and Textiles

Banana fibre counts as a bast fibre and has relatively good mechanical properties. However, the use of banana fibre for textiles has not yet been researched widely, and the literature on its use for the fashion industry is somewhat limited. Bananas count as one of the most important global food crop and are currently cultivated in around 129 different countries, with India contributing approximately 15% of the total fruit production worldwide. Banana fibre is produced from the 'pseudo stem' of the banana plant, which would usually be burnt or left to rot (apart from a small amount that is fed to...

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Cruelty-Free Fashion: Peace Silk

Material innovation Peace silk

Cruelty-Free Fashion: Peace Silk

Silk is a protein fibre produced by silkworms, and counts as one of the oldest textile fibres in the world. It is mostly known for its luxurious drape and smooth, soft texture. Generally speaking, peace silk is considered a more sustainable option compared to conventional silk in terms of animal welfare, social standards and the environment. But what exactly are the issues of conventional silk production? Similar to other industries, there have been many attempts to optimise the silk industry in order to gain more fibre and therefore achieve higher profits. And similar to other industries, silk manufacturing has mostly been taken out of its...

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